Indian shuttler enters semifinals after defeating Li Shi Feng in straight games
Birmingham witnessed another stellar performance from India's premier badminton star as the All England Open 2026 reached its critical knockout stages. Lakshya Sen, currently the top-ranked Indian in men’s singles, delivered a master class on Friday night to dispatch the sixth seed, Li Shi Feng. The straight-games victory showcased Sen's physical endurance and his tactical growth on the world stage.
Dominating the Quarterfinal Clash
Facing a familiar rival in Li Shi Feng, Sen entered the court with a balanced head-to-head record of 7-7. However, the 24-year-old Indian looked more composed from the opening serve. He utilised an aggressive strategy early on, quickly establishing a 10-4 lead. Although the Chinese former champion attempted a comeback by narrowing the gap to 15-13, Sen remained unfazed. He showcased his clinical finish by winning six points in a row to take the first game 21-13.
Li Shi Feng fought back harder in the second game, leading narrowly at the mid-game interval. The contest turned into a battle of attrition with grueling, long rallies that tested both players' stamina. From a tight 14-13 scoreline, Sen managed to break away by securing four consecutive points. This surge proved decisive, allowing him to close the match 21-16 after exactly one hour of play.
Road to the Final Four
Winning this match marks another massive milestone in Sen's current campaign, having already eliminated the top seed and defending champion, Shi Yu Qi, in the opening round. Now the lone Indian representative left in the tournament, Sen is scheduled to face Canada’s Victor Lai in the semifinals.
Reflecting on the exhausting quarterfinal, Sen noted that fatigue was a major factor for both athletes. He credited his coaching staff for helping him stay disciplined during long rallies. Rather than focusing on the potential title, the 2022 finalist emphasised that his immediate priority is recovery and taking the competition one match at a time.
With Agency Inputs
